Table 1 Egyptian herbal medicines reported for treatment of age- related diseases
No. | Plant species | Plant family | Voucher No. | Part used | Collection site | Arabic name | Traditional uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Adhatoda vasica Nees. | Acanthaceae | STDF-1 | Aerial parts | El-Orman garden |
| No traditional use reported |
2 | Aloe vera. L. | Aloaceae | STDF-2 | Dried juice | El-Orman garden |
| Improves mental capacity, benefits vitality, anti-depressant [12]. Used by pharaohs for chest pains, headaches, skin diseases and allergies [21], |
3 | Anacyclus pyrethrum L. | Asteraceae | STDF-5 | Roots | Herbal shop |
| Nerve tonic, improves cerebral blood circulation, remedy for paralysis [12]. |
4 | Boswellia sacra Flueck. | Burseraceae | STDF-6 | Gum | Oman |
| Anti-depressant enhances mental capacity, cures frequent forgetfulness, [12, 14]. Boswellia sp. was used by ancient Egyptians for rheumatism, joint pain and facial wrinkles [21]. |
5 | Brassica rapa ssp rapa | Brassicaceae | STDF-8 | Root | Local market |
| Aphrodisiac, anti-ageing, hearing disorders [12]. |
6 | Brassica nigra L. | Brassicaceae | STDF-9 | Seeds | Herbal shop |
| Anti-ageing strengthens the vitality [21]. Aphrodisiac, joints disorders and chest pain [11, 13, 14]. The Pharaohs used mustard seeds to treat muscle, joint and chest pains [21]. |
7 | Emblica officinalis Gaertn | Euphorbiaceae | STDF-10 | Fruits | El-Fayom |
| Improves memory, stimulant, and restoratives for all organs [21]. |
8 | Ferula assafoetida Boiss. & Buhse | Apiaceae | STDF-12 | Gum | Iran |
| Stimulant, strong aphrodisiac, strong nerve tonic, relieves on-going mental and physical fatigue, joints inflammation, depression and sadness [12]. Treat weakness of sexual desire and nerves [11]. |
9 | Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. | Fabaceae | STDF-13 | Aerial parts | Orman garden |
| Joints pains [12]. |
10 | Cassia fistula L. | Fabaceae | STDF-14 | Fruits | Orman garden |
| Tonic, detoxicant [12]. expectorant for brain and chest problems [11]. Relieves inflammations of nerves and joints [13, 14]. |
11 | Nerium oleander L. | Apocynaceae | STDF-15 | Leaves | Orman garden |
| Highly toxic, relieves knee and back pain [12]. |
12 | Nigella sativa L. | Ranunculaceae | STDF-16 | Seeds | Herbal shop |
| Stimulant, improving memory, resolutive, considered as an adaptogen [12]. |
13 | Peganum harmala L. | Zygophyllaceae | STDF-21 | Seeds | South Sinai |
| Hallucinogenic, epilepsy, mental and nervous illnesses, relieves joints inflammation [12]. Cures headaches, strokes, numbness, epilepsy and forgetfulness [11]. |
14 | Piper nigrum L. | Piperaceae | STDF-22 | Seeds | Herbal shop |
| Stimulant, memory enhancer, sharpens the mind, and for strokes [11, 12]. Piper sp. (Piper cubeba) used by Pharaohs against different types of infections and headaches [21]. |
15 | Rheum palmatum L. | Polygonaceae | STDF-23 | Stem | Herbal shop |
| Anti-ageing, for dyspepsia, improves memory, and maintains healthy mind [12]. |
16 | Rosmarinus officinalis L. | Lamiaceae | STDF-24 | Aerial parts | Orman garden |
| Sharpens the mind, anti-depressant, anxiety, poor memory, and rheumatoid arthritis. |
17 | Ruta graveolens L. | Rutaceae | STDF-25 | Leaves | Local market |
| Memory enhancer, relieves strokes, tremors, convulsion and epilepsy, joint pains [12]. |
18 | Salvia triloba L. | Lamiaceae | STDF-26 | Aerial parts | Sinai (El-A’rish) |
| Anti-inflammatory, nerve tonic, and memory enhancer. |
19 | Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merrill & Perry | Myrtaceae | STDF-27 | Pud | Herbal shop |
| General tonic and memory enhancer [12]. Stimulant for brain, and anti-depressant [11]. |
20 | Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. | Combretaceae | STDF-28 | Fruits | El-Fayom |
| Highly recommended for ageing diseases, improves memory and brain function, keeps the brain young and healthy [12]. Strengthens the senses and the brain, improves memory [11, 13]. |
21 | Terminalia chebula Retz. | Combretaceae | STDF-29 | Fruits | El-Giza |
| Traditionally used like T. arjuna. |
22 | Teucrium polium L. | Lamiaceae | STDF-30 | Aerial parts | South Sinai |
| Improves mental performance, and concentration [12]. |
23 | Zingiber officinale Roscoe | Zingiberaceae | STDF-31 | Rhizome | Local market (Mepaco) |
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